Willis A Star But Not Selfish

ST. PETERSBURG — His 12 wins lead the National League. Only Roger Clemens has a better ERA. No one has more shutouts or complete games.

Yet in an astonishing display of humility Sunday, Dontrelle Willis said National League manager Tony La Russa should look within his Cardinals team for the All-Star starter.

"Honestly, I would want him to start one of his guys no matter what," said Willis, referring to right-hander Chris Carpenter (11-4, 2.77). "If Jack [McKeon] was managing, it would be different. ... I'm happy to be there, but I would love to get in there and get my cleats dirty."

Willis was named to the All-Star squad in 2003 after Kevin Brown backed out with an injury. He warmed up but didn't get into the game.

Because of the way the Marlins' and Cardinals' rotations line up, Willis may have an edge over Carpenter. Willis is scheduled to make his last first-half start the Friday before the All-Star Game.

The Cardinals are looking at shuffling their starters to get Carpenter an additional turn. His last outing could come on Sunday, July 10, making him unavailable to start in Detroit.

While La Russa would have a similar allegiance to his players, he does have a relationship with Willis. The two got to know each other in Jupiter, where the Marlins and Cardinals share a spring training complex.

In addition, Willis and Albert Pujols took part in an autograph session to benefit La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation two offseasons ago.

Lefty Scott Olsen won his major league debut Saturday, but it's unclear when he'll get a shot at victory No. 2.

Olsen's turn in the rotation comes up Thursday against the Braves, but that spot could revert to Josh Beckett.

Eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, Beckett will have a better sense of his readiness after today's bullpen session. If the blister on his middle finger doesn't heat up, Beckett will go Thursday.

Should Beckett require more time, McKeon said he would be inclined to let the rotation cycle around before plugging him in so as not to disturb anyone's rest.

Olsen deserves another outing. He held the Devils Rays to two runs (one earned) on four hits and struck out seven through 52/3 innings. The Marlins gave him an early 4-0 lead and Olsen held it despite a no out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth.

The outing reminded Willis of his debut. Like Olsen, Willis had been a 21-year-old lefty at Double-A Carolina at the time of his promotion.

"He outdid me my first start," said Willis, who allowed three runs in six innings and got a no-decision against the Rockies.

"He wasn't intimidated at all, especially when they had bases loaded, no outs."

SWEET 16

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez accounted for one of the Marlins' three hits Sunday, extending his career-best hitting streak to 16 games, the longest by a Marlin this season.

He is four shy of matching Cliff Floyd's National League-best 20-game run from April 8-May 4.